Tip-tackle ban could force Kruis to miss opening Six Nations fixtures

ENGLAND second row George Kruis was last night facing the prospect of missing the start of the Six Nations after being cited for a tip tackle on Gloucester wing David Halaifonua during Friday’s Premiership clash with Gloucester at Kingsholm.

The Saracens forward was sin-binned for the indiscretion and will attend a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel this evening, with a suspension of anything up to eight weeks looming.

Gloucester hooker Darren Dawidiuk was handed a six-week ban two years ago after being sent off for a similar offence, while Bath No8 Leroy Houston was cited for a dangerous tackle on Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson in October, which prompted a three-week suspension after his sanction was halved based on his plea.

Should Kruis contest the charge and lose, he could be suspended for at least five weeks due to the loss of mitigating factors, which would rule the 24-year-old out of England’s Six Nations opener with Wales on 6 February and clash with Italy a week later. England centre Jonathan Joseph, meanwhile, has signed a new deal with Bath.